A reggae band formed 1978 in Birmingham, UK. The music grasps from roots re… Read Full Bio ↴A reggae band formed 1978 in Birmingham, UK. The music grasps from roots reggae and dub to lovers rock and pop. It is the second most commercial successful reggae band with +70 million sold albums. Many of their hits have been stylishly covers of early reggae and rocksteady hits from Jamaica. After success in UK, UB40's won USA with Labour of Love (1983), their first album of covers. UB40 was 1986 the first Western band to play behind the Iron Curtain, live in Moscow, Soviet Union. UB40 is known for hits as 'Food For Thought', (1980) 'Red Red Wine' (1983), 'Please Don't Make Me Cry' (1983), 'I Got You Babe' (1985) with frontman Ali Campbell in duet with Chrissie Hynde just like in 'Breakfast in Bed' (1988). Their most successful worldwide single release is their reggae/pop version of 'I Can't Help) Falling in Love With You' (1993).

The band is one of the most culturally diverse dub Ska bands with musicians of English, Scottish, Irish, Yemeni and Jamaican parentage. The band is named from the paper form issued by the UK government's Department of Health and Social Security at the time of the band's formation for claiming unemployment benefit (UB40 = Unemployment Benefit, Form 40).

UB40 were influenced by the many Blues Parties they attended as teenagers in the multiracial Balsall Heath area of Birmingham, their love of ska and reggae inspired such original tracks as King, Madam Medusa, Food for Thought, Signing Off and One in Ten.

Their early music style was unique, with a heavy influence of analogue synthesizers, psychedelic rock guitar, saxophone and dub producer techniques which were later perfected by the late Pablo Falconer.

Ali and Robin Campbell have a musical heritage, being sons of Ian Campbell, a folk musician.

The band purchased its first instruments with compensation money Ali Campbell received after a bar fight. They have had a number of hits, most commercially and to amusement of the band, "Red Red Wine", a cover version of a Neil Diamond song (in an arrangement similar to that of Tony Tribe's version). Their most successful single release is the cover of the Elvis Presley ballad Can't Help Falling In Love which was intended to be the main title to the 1992 Sharon Stone movie Sliver and was a Number One hit across Europe and in the U.S.

Many of UB40's recordings were inspired by 1960s ska and early lovers rock songs that would have otherwise been forgotten in the public eye. Their new injection of life into so many old Jamaican hits has resulted in many musicians' and producers' renewed popularity and income.

UB40's early music often tackled social issues such as racism and unemployment.

Other artists that UB40 have collaborated with include: Pato Banton, Madness, Bitty McLean, Chrissie Hynde, Robert Palmer, Hunterz, Japanese artist Mikidozan, French artist Nuttea, Lady Saw and Afrika Bambaataa.

Desert Sand
UB40 Lyrics

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You tell me there's no darkness
While the sun shines down on you
And just because your life is peaceful
There's no fighting left to do
For every cup that runneth over
Many more are filled with pain
You talk to me of sunshine
When it's pouring down with rain

Just because you can't see it
Doesn't mean it isn't there
Just because it can't touch you
Doesn't mean you shouldn't care
For every life that's lit with love
Many more are racked with pain
You talk to me of sunshine
When it's pouring down with rain

(CHORUS)

It's a long black night, good people
Descended on our land
Share your light

Make a flower grow
In the desert sand

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to UB40's "Desert Sand" explore the concept of privilege and perspective. The singer of the song is addressing someone who is living a comfortable, happy life and doesn't seem to be aware of the suffering and darkness that exist outside of their own experience. The first two lines, "You tell me there's no darkness / While the sun shines down on you," set the tone for the rest of the song. The person being addressed seems to think that because their own life is peaceful, there is no more fighting to be done. However, the singer points out that this is a limited view of the world, because "for every cup that runneth over / Many more are filled with pain."

Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes the importance of empathy and caring for others, even if their struggles don't directly affect you. "Just because you can't see it / Doesn't mean it isn't there" suggests that there are many forms of suffering that may not be immediately visible, but that we must still acknowledge and address. In the chorus, the song takes on a more hopeful tone, with the singer encouraging listeners to "share your light / Make a flower grow / In the desert sand." This metaphorical language suggests that even in the darkest, most barren places, there is potential for growth and positivity if we are willing to work for it.

Overall, "Desert Sand" is a powerful reminder that our individual experiences are not the whole picture, and that we have a responsibility to care for and uplift those who are struggling. The lyrics also urge us to find hope and purpose even in challenging circumstances, and to work towards creating a better world for everyone.

Line by Line Meaning

You tell me there's no darkness
You're saying life's all sunshine and rainbows

While the sun shines down on you
You only see the good in life, because you're fortunate

And just because your life is peaceful
You haven't experienced the struggles that others have

There's no fighting left to do
You don't recognize the ongoing uphill battles others face

For every cup that runneth over
For every person who has plenty

Many more are filled with pain
There are many more who are suffering from lack or loss

You talk to me of sunshine
You speak of the good things in life

When it's pouring down with rain
Ignoring the reality that difficult times happen

Just because you can't see it
Just because you don't experience struggles

Doesn't mean it isn't there
Doesn't mean that others aren't struggling

Just because it can't touch you
Just because it doesn't affect you personally

Doesn't mean you shouldn't care
Doesn't mean you can't empathize and show compassion

For every life that's lit with love
For every person who has love in their life

Many more are racked with pain
There are many more who are suffering from a lack or loss of love

You talk to me of sunshine
You speak of the good things in life

When it's pouring down with rain
Ignoring the reality that difficult times happen

It's a long black night, good people
There are people who are struggling through difficult times

Descended on our land
These struggles are happening everywhere

Share your light
Spread positivity and be kind to others

Make a flower grow
Bring a little bit of beauty to a tough situation

In the desert sand
Even in the toughest of situations, growth can happen

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALI CAMPBELL, BRIAN TRAVERS, EARL FALCONER, JIM BROWN, MICHAEL VIRTUE, NORMAN HASSAN, ROBIN CAMPBELL, TERRENCE OSWALD WILSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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